Wedding Rehearsal

Last updated: January 11, 2009

The wedding rehearsal is basically a "practice wedding". It gives you
an opportunity to figure out who is doing what, who stands where, when
to enter and exit, which way to face, etc. This rehearsal is key in
making sure your actual wedding ceremony runs smoothly.

What to practice
The
officiant or wedding planner will show everyone where to stand during
the ceremony and when to enter and exit, pace of walking, order of
processional, etc. Your officiant should go over what they will be
saying and when to perform certain things such as the lighting of the
unity candle. Your musician should also learn when to cue certain
music. Your may invite your photographer to attend your rehearsal as
well. This allows him/her to see the layout and when certain events
will occur so as not to miss a single shot!

Each person needs
to practice what they will be doing. For example, the groomsmen and
groom enter and stand in their places, the ushers escort the
parents/grandparents of the bride and groom, the bridesmaids and maid
of honor enter and stand in their places, the ring bearer walks down
the isle with the pillow, the flower girl walks down the isle dropping
petals, the father enters with the bride and then gives her away. The
bride and groom might also practice reciting their vows. Singers might
practice their song(s), readers practice their reading(s). Bring
items such as a few chairs to practice seating, mock bouquets,
basket for flower girl, pillow for ring bearer, candles to practice
unity lighting, etc.

Who should attend?
All
members of the wedding party including the bride, groom, best man,
groomsmen, maid of honor, bridesmaids, flower girl, ring bearer,
parents of the bride and groom, officiant, ushers, readers, singers,
photographer, musicians/DJ.

Run through the ceremony as many
times as you need to be sure everyone is comfortable with what they
should be doing. Everyone should pay close attention to their
directions and don't hesitate to ask questions if you don't understand
something.

Rehearsal dinner
After the rehearsal, everyone gathers
together for a dinner, usually hosted by the parents of the groom. It
is a good time for both families to talk with each other, and a good
time to toast the bride and groom. You may also choose this time to
give your attendant's their thank-you gifts. The dinner may be formal
or casual- from a fancy banquet room, to a favorite restaurant, to a
backyard BBQ.

Who to invite
The guest list should
include both immediate families, the wedding party and officiant and
their significant others, and out-of-town guests. You may also choose
to invite more friends or extended family members. Depending on the
type of rehearsal dinner you have, you can either send out invitations
or go by word of mouth. Just be sure that everyone RSVPs so you will
know how many mouths to feed!